Kidfish hoping to snag a new generation

Stylish in shades, Nathan Becerra (photo, top) keeps a close eye on his line at a recent Kidfish event. (Photo by Anita Miller)

By all accounts, they were biting.

The dozens of children who lined a pond at the A.E. Wood State Fish Hatchery recently hauled in plenty of rainbow trout that had been specially stocked for Kidfish.

The annual event is a “youth outreach program dedicated to facilitating and educating a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”

This year 60 kids caught more than 250 fish, according to Hatchery Manager Robert Schmid.
Some of them took home trophies.

In the age 6 and under category, first place went to Presley Just for a fish that measured 11.5 inches. Second place went to Natalie Decovic, whose fish was 11 and one sixteenth inches. Coming in third was Natalie Garcia, whose catch measured 11 inches.

In the age 7 to 11 category, first place went to Kara Munoz for a fish that measured 12 and one eighth inches. Second place went to Nathan Becerra, whose fish measured 11 and three sixteenth inches. Coming in third was Garret Schiller, whose fish measured 11 and one quarter inches.

In the age 12 to 16 category, first place went to Sabrina (last name unknown) for a fish that measured 15 and one quarter inches. Second place went to Kyle Doph, whose fish measured 11 and one half inches. Coming in third was Bridget Becerra, whose fish measured 11 and one quarter inches.